Bilic: I don't want Zola job

Hammers chiefs David Gold and David Sullivan want the Croatia coach to replace Gianfranco Zola, who looks certain to be axed at Upton Park after his side crashed to another disastrous defeat at home to Stoke.

But they will have to look elsewhere for his replacement, as ex-West Ham and Everton defender Bilic is adamant he will not walk out on Croatia, despite the country’s failure to make it to the World Cup finals.

In fact Bilic has agreed to stay on for the Euro 2012 qualifi ers and last night he made it clear that while he still has strong feelings for West Ham, he’s staying put.

Bilic, 41, told the Daily Star Sunday: “I love West Ham very much but that job is not for me right now. Not today. I want to qualify for the European Championships and nothing is going to change that. I am staying for all my country’s qualifi ers.”

That snub is another blow to Sullivan and Gold who have seen West Ham’s fortunes nosedive since buying the club in January.

But Bilic feels he owes the Croatian players and public after they gave him a vote of confidence in the wake of the teammissing out on South Africa.

He added: “It’s my country. The players, the staff and the majority of fans wanted me to stay that’s why I decided to carry on. I’m proud to manage my country. I love this job.”